1
as in problem
a situation in which one has to choose between two or more equally unsatisfactory choices
faced with a dilemma of whether to risk continuing to drive in the dangerous storm or to give up searching for the lost dog and hope he survived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in predicament
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
with home prices in a free fall, sellers were in a terrible dilemma
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dilemma
But millions of people who voted for Trump for reasons similar to Gabbard’s, but didn’t bet their whole career on supporting him, have no such dilemma.
—
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2026
To avoid this dilemma, my aunt always travels with a portable power bank like this slim option from Anker.
—Stephanie Gray, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
And now, with the Islamic Republic facing dramatic demonstrations in dozens of cities across Iran, Khamenei is faced with a dilemma not unlike the Shah’s.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
How can Benedict solve this dilemma?
—The Know, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dilemma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilemma
Noun
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Complaints about the shelter showed that problems have festered for years, reaching a breaking point after a rise in animal deaths led the agency to lose its no-kill status and city officials to call for an audit.—
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Address the problem of hard water, a major soap scum culprit, by installing a water softener.—
Noun
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This year, however, my predicament has grown more urgent.—
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Owner’s Jail, to put it nicely, is the predicament of NFL fans whose team is owned by someone whose stewardship does not inspire great optimism.—
Noun
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The Vikings have begun a new year with yet another quarterback quandary, a familiar scenario for this star-crossed franchise.—
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These are enduring human quandaries.—
Noun
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Eating pickles helps with hydration and feeling full due to their high water content.—
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The most famous is Pickle Rick, a green pickle version of grandpa Rick.—
Cite this Entry
“Dilemma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilemma. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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